THOUSANDS of secondary school pupils in the East Riding are to become the first in the country to be vaccinated against flu.
School nurses are preparing to give the vaccination in the form of a nasal spray to children in Years 7 and 8 after the East Riding was chosen to take part in a major pilot project.
The nasal spray contains viruses that have been weakened to stop them developing into full-blown flu but allows the children aged between 11 and 13 to build up immunity.
Team leader Elizabeth Murray, of the school nursing team said: "Vaccinating Year 7 and 8 pupils aims to stop the spread of flu through the community.
"Young people of this age are very social and are out and about a great deal, mixing with different age groups from younger siblings to grandparents who may be in residential care or hospital.
"The pilot will look at how effective vaccinating this age group is in stopping flu spreading widely."
Humber NHS Foundation Trust has been selected to deliver vaccinations in the East Riding, one of 12 pilot areas in England.
Public Health England is running the pilot project across the country to gather evidence on how best to vaccinate large numbers of children over a short period of time.
Pupils in the East Riding are among 700,000 across England to be offered a free flu vaccination before the winter.
The Department of Health is extending the national flu programme to all children from the age of two to under 17.
It is being phased in and the pilot schemes aim to identify the best way of vaccinating as many children possible in the shortest time, without putting pressure on other health services.
All children aged two, three and four will also be offered a nasal spray vaccine to protect them against flu. The existing flu programme vaccinates anyone in an at-risk group, pregnant women and those aged 65 or over.
Dr Paul Cosford, of Public Health England, said: "The pilots are an important addition to the national programme.
"They are helping us to understand the best way to implement the programme nationally, ensuring we can set up a successful and sustainable programme, vaccinating children and young people to protect them and the wider population.
"It's important that children take up the offer of a vaccination if offered to them later in the year."
Parents in the East Riding with Year 7 and 8 children will already have received a letter from Humber NHS Foundation Trust outlining the programme and asking whether or not they wish their child to take part.
Children who have long-term health conditions, such as asthma, will be able to choose whether to have their vaccination at school or at their GP surgery as normal and may receive the traditional injection.
For more information call the immunisation team on 0771 8192106.
Flu vaccine being offered to young childrenPUBLIC Health England say the flu vaccine is being offered to children aged two, three and four through GP surgeries.
It is also being offered children in Years 7 and 8 in East Yorkshire.
Flu in children can cause fever, a stuffy nose, a dry cough, a sore throat, aching muscles and joints and extreme tiredness.
Symptoms can last several days.
In some cases, children suffer high fevers and need hospital treatment.
Complications from flu can include ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia.
Children are being vaccinated in the autumn before flu starts circulating to offer the best protection.
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